SC

Chicago Round-Up

I'm home from CHA. So much to share that I don't even know where to begin. To sum it up in a sentence:

This was far and above THE BEST TRIP I have ever taken in my entire life - bar none, hands down, never to be topped, nothing to compare - the best trip ever.

I had more fun that I thought humanly possible. Everyone who I had hoped to see, I saw. Everyone I wanted to spend time with, I did. People who I wanted to meet, I met. Things I wanted to do, I did. Really, what more could I ask for? I laughed and smiled so much that my cheeks hurt, which tells me that I have altogether too little fun in my life.

To recap some of the highlights:

The Pub dinner rocked my world... literally rocked my world. I had SO FREAKING MUCH FUN. Wendy knows how to throw a bash. The girl is amazing.

Janet O and I were CHA sidekick buddies. It was the perfect combination. She didn't even get mad at me when I was lost, dazed, or confused. And she was very kind in not mentioning how blind I was.

PeaMale Scott is a hoot and really fun to spend time with. I have a crush on him... but I'm not his type.

May Flaum is the most professional, organized, calm and ultra coolest person I have ever met. I wish she was my neighbor. I love her.

Torm is very shy and reserved and exactly as I thought she would be. Super nice girl! I was so glad she crashed in our room the first night.

Barb Hogan is a BLAST to hang out with. She gave up sleep in order to spend time together. And for that, I will be forever grateful.

Jenidallas is one sharp cookie and really fun to talk shop with. Another one who gave up sleep so that we could meet in person. And giving up sleep after seven hours of flight delays says a lot about a person.

Jessica Sprague is not only one of the most talented people I have ever met, but she is also really fun to take nighttime photos with. Plus, she is cute as a bug and wears great shoes - both very important details in my world. The girl is going places, and it couldn't happen to a nicer person.

Christine Brown is the classiest person I've met thus far in this industry. I sure do wish I could remember where it was that I have met her before.

My girl Becca will always be MY GIRL. I love her so much and seeing her again warmed my heart and gave me tingles all over. She is truly the most genuine person I know. I'm so lucky to have her as my friend.

I laughed for a solid hour when I was hanging out with Jana P. and Cheryl Mezzetti. I'm so glad I was able to spend quality girl time with them.

I bawled when I first saw my best friend from the Big Manufacturer. I will never get over missing her. She is a forever friend...FOREVER.

Wendy McK really is the John Gotti of the scrapbooking world. The girl has CONNECTIONS and can make things happen like no one else I know. We call her the Mafia.

Miley Johnson and Kelly Lautenbach are seriously the funniest people I have ever met in my life (and I've met Kelly before, but she is even more funny when Miley is around, go figure). I laughed until I cried just listening to them talk. And nice - oh my gosh! They just don't come any better than these two girls. I can't wait to see them again.

It felt so good to be there for the fun and not for anything work related.

I was not wowed by any one product, but saw several I liked a lot.

There was a whole lot of chipboard and I am already wanting to get my hands on the new stuff from Maya Road and Fancy Pants.

Flowers as booth decor were huge. I took pictures because it seemed to be a theme.

The new Basic Grey does not rock my world, but I know I will still buy it because it's pretty and it's BG and it's a tradition. I thought their booth was one of the best as far as display and decor - very classy and inviting.

Amy Howe is teeny-tiny and she is sweet as can be. I was so happy I had the chance to talk to her.

Tia cracks me up! She truly is a Rock Star.

Rhonna Farrer is so fun - even when she felt like puking because she had morning sickness.

Some people cheat on their avatars and they look NOTHING like they appear on the screen. This always messes with my mind and makes me feel like an idiot.

I miss the industry, but I'm really happy with where I'm at and I wouldn't change a thing.

On Thursday, my flight to Chicago was delayed 7 hours, but I still managed to meet up with my buds at Navy Pier for a late night of fun and photography. Afterward, Janet and I headed over to the Embassy Suites for an even later night meeting with Jennifer Moody and crew. It was a long day, but well worth the wait.

On Friday, we met up with the posse, walked the show, and lunched with Scott. In the evening we partied with the Pub. It was as though computer screens and avatars had come to life. I loved every single minute of the Bash and am so glad that I had the opportunity to attend the event.

On Saturday, we walked the show floor and took a second look at our favorite booths. I was also invited to take an inside peek at a Fiskars TV taping - very fun! That night, we celebrated Wendy's birthday in style at Gibson Grill. I can honestly say that I have never had a better dining experience. After we ate, Janet and I met up with Barb Hogan and some of her pals. It was so good to be able to sit down and talk with Barb. I hit the jackpot when she and I met. She's the best of the best when it comes to friends. I think Saturday may have been one of the best days of my entire life.

On Sunday I had lunch with some friends from the Big Manufacturer and walked the show again with Wendy. When the show was over, I went to Janet's house before returning home to my reality. I had a play date and sleep over with her awesome kids. It was a perfect way to decompress, process, and finalize an already perfect trip.

The only weird things that happened were:

I met Squillen in my underwear - and since she doesn't look like her avatar (duh, it's dancing Carmen) I asked her who she was (she walked into my room right after I had taken a shower). That was something we laughed about all weekend long, thus, the underwear comments.

I met Torm in my pajamas because I was out with Jenidallas when Torm arrived, and Torm was sound asleep by the time I got back to the hotel. Thus, the first time meeting was when we woke up the next morning. As far as meeting a person in my jams, it was a great way to meet Torm because it was so casual.

Although I roomed with Wendy, I was only able to spend the final day with her. She has a book deal in the works and had meetings all weekend. It's a good thing that Wendy and I have known each other for nine years because we totally get where the other one is coming from and there was no explanation necessary.

The whole Big Manufacture thing blew my mind. I'm still shaking my head over things that were said. I was actually treated as an employee. That is just weird, weird, weird to be there as an outsider and not working my butt off for them. It was so good to reconnect with a company who has always treated me with respect.

I didn't take many product pictures, but I have over 100 friends pictures and several flower pot photos. Sadly, I forgot to get a picture of me and Danielle (my best friend from the Big Manufacturer), and I didn't get any pics with Jenidallas either. I met with Jennifer the first night AFTER we had each spent hours in airports due to storm delays, and AFTER I had played at Navy Pier. We could hardly think by the time we got together at midnight.

Tomorrow I will post Face Time Photos - all those great pictures of friends that I managed to take while at the show. Later this week, I will write an entry about the products. I will also have some pictures to accompany my thoughts on the subject.

I made the trip to Chicago solely for pleasure. Work and industry were secondary on my agenda. Therefore, it came as a pleasant surprise that I was able to mix both and still have the time of my life. It was completely unplanned and totally unexpected that I would conduct any business while at the show. Which is why I am sure this trip will go down in history as being the best trip ever.

I always say that good things happen when least expected. I truly believe that when I don't force issues, God takes my hand and leads the way. And that is exactly what happened while I was in Chicago.

I'll close this entry with a few other night shots I took while at Navy Pier. One thing I learned while on this trip: my photography skills are sorely lacking. I really need to work on that.

Sounds like you had a wonderful, wonderful time! The kids had a great time at Navy Pier last year . . .and I had to laugh at the pier pictures, I have the first 2 shots you posted as well. Now thinking I should've taken a pic of the sign.

*sigh* I actually had one of the best weeks of my life, too, even though it meant missing CHA. Envious I wasn't there, Kelly, but SO SO SO very happy for you that you had such a great time!!!! I'm sitting here smiling just thinking about what fun you must have had!

It was SO fun to get to meet up with you on Thursday night (and again when we kept bumping into you guys on Friday!). It was fabulous to talk with you and I have a *hunch* I might be seeing you at the next CHA too. ;-)